These are very, very important messages to get out now in the context of what could be an above average season in terms of temperature and all the risks that come with that in a place like Canberra and the ACT.

Visitors

MADAM SPEAKER: Before I call other members, I would like to acknowledge the presence in the gallery of staff from Canberra Connect. The education office has been bringing staff through. Welcome to your Assembly.

Questions without notice

ACTION bus service—fleet

MR COE: My question is to the Minister for Territory and Municipal Services. Minister, the ACT government recently announced that it will be procuring 77 new buses for the ACTION fleet. What requirements are in place for local or domestic manufacturing?

MR RATTENBURY: I will take the full detail of Mr Coe's question on notice, but what I can inform you is that the bus bodies are being prepared in Australia. They of course, as you would know, meet the new Euro 6 standard, the first buses in Australia to do so. But for the full procurement rules I will have to check and get back to you, Mr Coe, just so that it is quite specific for you.

MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mr Coe.

MR COE: Minister, can you also take on notice, I suggest, what domestic manufacturing will take place and also what procurement weighting, if any, is given to favour Australian manufacturers?

MR RATTENBURY: Yes, I will.

MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mr Wall.

MR WALL: Minister, what impact on the age-of-fleet reporting and best practice will be seen if the procured buses are in operation for 25 years?

MR RATTENBURY: Can you repeat the last bit?

MADAM SPEAKER: Could you repeat the question? I did not hear it all.

MR WALL: I will repeat that: what impact on the age-of-fleet reporting and best practice will be seen if the procured buses are in operation for 25 years?

MR RATTENBURY: In broad terms, what this will do is that it will reduce the maintenance workload, particularly in the short term. The buses that are being taken off the road and replaced are the oldest buses in the fleet. Many of them are at that 25-year time frame. So as is natural with these sorts of things, those buses are